The South Carolina State Library shall plan, develop, and operate a statewide library network to facilitate the sharing of resources and information among South Carolina libraries and to make resources and information more easily accessible to library users anywhere in the State. To this end, the State Library may:

(a) recommend statewide priorities for interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing;

(b) develop and publish a state plan for library network activities;

(c) promulgate policies, regulations, and guidelines consistent with the provisions of this chapter;

(d) establish and operate a network computer system and telecommunication systems which will expedite interlibrary loan, reference, and referral;

(e) acquire or create computer programs and data bases and make them available to libraries of the network;

(f) provide grants for networking activities and establish standards under which libraries may be eligible for the grants;

(g) encourage public awareness of the need for interlibrary cooperation and resource sharing;

(h) provide for state participation in and compatibility with regional, national, or international library networks and systems which will increase the quality of library service to the people of this State;

(i) encourage and assist the efforts of libraries and local governments to develop mutual and cooperative solutions to library service problems;

(j) establish a network advisory body made up of representatives of the several network constituencies to advise and assist the State Library in network planning and development.

HISTORY: 1985 Act No. 178, Section 2.